Rodriguez faces Vargas for the WBA bantamweight title on June 13 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on DAZN. While Rodriguez, The Ring’s No. 4-ranked fighter pound-for-pound, is a significant favorite heading into the clash, he expects that he’ll have to earn it if he’s going to become a three-division champion.

“He's a tough fighter,” Rodriguez said at the press conference in Las Vegas. “He has good speed, so I'm expecting a very tough fight. A lot of people are writing him off just because he doesn't have a big name, but come June 13, I'm expecting a great fight [and] a tough fight from Antonio Vargas. It's just going to make that much of a better fight.”

Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs) holds the Ring, WBA, WBC and WBO 115-pound titles. He last fought on Nov. 22, when he knocked out then-WBA titleholder Fernando Martinez in the 10th round.

Rodriguez’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said the plan is for Rodriguez, 26, to move back down to 115 pounds in his next fight to try to become the undisputed champion. The dynamic southpaw from San Antonio would have to face the winner of IBF champion Willibaldo Garcia vs. Andrew Maloney, which takes place on June 6 in Japan.

Rather than stay at 115 pounds for a title defense, Rodriguez preferred moving up to face Vargas (19-1-1, 11 KOs). The 2016 U.S. Olympian last fought to a unanimous draw against Daigo Higa on July 30 in Japan.

Vargas, 29, of Kissimmee, Florida, told The Ring he expects to be elevated from champion in recess to full champion ahead of the Rodriguez fight, because the current titleholder, Seiya Tsutsumi (13-0-3, 8 KOs), is sidelined with facial injuries he suffered in his split decision win over Nonito Donaire on Dec. 17.

“The title defense wouldn't have excited me as much as this fight does,” Rodriguez said. “Moving up to another division, trying to conquer another world title against a fighter like Antonio Vargas will push me that much more inside the gym and make me go out there and perform a lot better come fight night.”